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This page is dedicated to the logistical side of my trip such as my air
and ground transportation decisions, my lodging and any tours that I booked. For me, the least
interesting part of trip planning is the logistics like figuring out which apartment/hotel to book, figuring out my mode
of transportation and booking things like my airfare. Unfortunately for me these logistics are just as critical
to making any trip a success as it is to learning about the culture and history of a place. Once I decide on a
location and a basic itinerary, I like to wok on the logistics right away. And then once I have them done, I'll
do more research on my must see's, tour options, places to eat, improving my knowledge about he cities/towns, the cuture,
history and art. The fun part!
I wanted to address most if not all of these items here on this
page so it would be easily accessible to those who are interested in the "how to's" of my trip.
Traveling during the off
season has its advantages and cheaper
airfares are one of them. I checked a popular airfare search engine called Kayak.com twice a day, daily for nearly a month before I finally found a decent price
on Delta Airlines with only one layover stop. I then went directly to Delta Airlines to purchase my tickets.
The flight is from LAX to Marco Polo Airport
with a 3 hour layover in New York's Kennedy Airport. I had read negative reports of passing through Kennedy airport so
I was a little worried about my luggage making my connecting flight to Venice. I made sure to label my luggage
carefully and double checked the airport tag they gave it. Having read some lost/delayed luggage stories, I
decided to cram an extra set of clothing in my carry-on just in case.
The plane to New York was very cramped
and full to capacity but the flight to Venice was not full and I lucked out with an empty seat next to me. I
was expecting Kennedy Airport to be a horrible experience (again from what I had read), but the 3-hour connection
time I had selected was just right and the transition went pretty smooth. And my luggage made it safely all
the way to Venice! Sweet!
GROUND & "WATER" TRANSPORTATION:
Marco Polo Airport - Arrival Plans - Before my trip I reviewed several options on how to get from the Marco Polo Airport to my apartment.
At first I was a little worried because Venice is a city that relies solely on water transportation which is something different
and very unique from anywhere that I have been. But after doing my research I realized that I just have to treat this
mode of transportation the same as any I've done by land and I was fine.
After much research I decided to use the ATVO Airport (Blue Express) Bus to get from the Airport to Piazzale Roma. Cost
is 3 Euro and it takes you directly from the airport to Piazzale Roma in approximately 20 minutes. As you exit
the baggage claim area, go to the ATVO ticket counter and purchase your ticket.
When you leave the terminal the ATVO Bus
stop is straight ahead. I think I only waited about 10 minutes before
the next bus came. We were responsible for loading our own luggage in the lower baggage compartment before we boarded.
Once you arrive at Piazzale Roma, you exit the bus and retrieve your own luggage. This is a pretty busy
area with lots of people, cars, taxis and buses. I took the easy solution of following the flow of people to get me
to where the Vaporetto stops are (a tactic I used throughout my stay whenever I got lost. Hey, it's not high tech like
having my Garmin, but it worked). I found the entrance platform to the Number 1 Vaporetto, stamped my Venice Blue Card
and rolled my luggage on board. I found a sweet little corner right behind the front seats and out of the way for people
getting on and off the Vaporetto at all the stops. I had to stand the whole way because it was crowded, but I was so
excited and I had a great big smile on my face (eyes wide open and jaw dropping ever so slightly) for most of the ride to
my stop. I even managed to take out my little camera and started clicking away. How could I not.
Venice Card
- This is a discount card that offers a selection of options in which to use
the City's water bus known as a Vaporetto. It comes in 12 hours, 48 hours and 7 days unlimited use. There are
two colors, Blue and Orange. I opted for the less expensive Venice Blue Card
(7 days), which offered unlimited use of public transports and use of public
restrooms and some store discounts (which I never bothered to use). It also allows you to use the City Buses
including the trip from the airport to Piazzala Roma. I still opted to pay the 3 Euro ATVO Express bus
because I just wanted to get to Venice the fastest and most economical way possible. I pre-purchased
my Venice blue card on-line for 55 Euro and thought it was well worth the money.
When you use if for the first time, stamp the card in one of the yellow
stamp machines and then sign the back of it. This validates your card. Failure to do so may cause you to be fined
(or so I had read before my trip). I remembered to stamp my pass when I first boarded the vaporetto for the first time,
but I did forget to sign the back of it. I was reminded to sign it when I had to use it to enter the public restroom
by the Accademia Bridge later during my stay. The worker made me sign it before entering and it was no big deal.
However, it would be a big deal and possibly a fine if you fail to date stamp your card the first time that you use it
to ride the Vaporetto, so don't forget.
I purchased my blue card on line before my trip and picked it up just
outside the Baggage Claim area at Marco Polo Airport. I also purchased my ATVO Airport Blue Bus ticket to Piazzale Rome
at the ATVO ticket window (located on the left just outside the baggage claim area). Tip: Remember to print out
your Venice Blue (Orange) Card purchase confirmation before you leave. When I went to pick up my card, the workers had
a bit of difficulty finding my name on their computer print out. After looking at my print out and making a phone call
they were able to give me my card. And another thing, the Venice Blue card is more like a long ticket so I would recommend
that you find a place in your bag to put it so you won't lose it. I always kept it in one particular pocket in my camera
bag/handbag so I knew where it was in case I had to make a mad dash to catch an oncoming Vaporetto and had to show my ticket.
It's funny but it really got to the point where I could recognize the "chugging" sound of a Vaporetto heading towards the
platform. I sort of miss hearing it.
Note: On my return trip, I took the Vaporetto # 1 to Piazzala Roma
and then caught a land taxi to the Airport. The cost was about $30 Euros. I had the option of taking the ATVO
Blue Express Bus for only 3 Euro but to be honest, one of the big splurges that I like to treat myself to on my trips
is taking a taxi to the airport. First, I like the convenience especially since I usually end up leaving with more than
I came with. Secondly, I enjoy the taxi rides at the end of my trips. I'm always sad at the end of a trip
and this little treat gives me a nice way to enjoy my last few moments in the places I visit.
Trenitalia - Trains in Italy Website. I used this site to plan all my preferred
train schedules for my day trips to Treviso, Ravenna and Ferrara. Tip: Print off at least 4 or 5 different
time schedules along with the detailed stops that each train will make. I found knowing the name
and number of stops the train will make before I arrive at my final destination very useful.
I did not pre-purchase any train tickets (on line) before I left.
Instead, I just purchased them right before I left for my day trips (Treviso, Ravenna and Ferrara). It worked out
very well and it provided me with a little flexibility in my schedule. Keep in mind that I traveled during the low season
(November). If you are traveling during the high season months, you might do some research on wheterh it is recommended
that you pre-purchase your tickets and make a seat reservtion.
Another
thing I did differently on this trip was I decided to stay in an apartment rather than in a hotel. I think doing
so, had me feeling more like one of the locals living in a real neighborhood. I bought groceries and daily
items from the nearby markets. It had me mingling with the locals and learning to order in my very limited
Italian. I loved this experience and would do it again!
I was a little nervous about staying in an apartment for the first time.
I'm used to just arriving at the hotel lobby and getting my key. On this trip I had to coordinate my arrival with the
apartment representative. After a few back and forth e-mails with the agency (Views on Venice) I was instructed to meet the representative at the Accademia Bridge. My
contact person's name was Irene and I was to call her as soon as I arrived at the Marco Polo Airport. For
this trip, I purchased a tri band celll phone with an Italian SIM card from Cellular Abroad and it worked like a
charm.
I called Irene to let her know that I was just leaving the
airport terminal for Piazzala Roma. She instructed me to call her again once I arrive at Piazzale Roma. This
was the first time I've traveled with a cell phone in Europe and I must say that I found it very handy and also comforting
knowing that I had it with me at all times. I used it a couple of times to verify tiimes and locations. I
recommen it to anyone traveling abroad independently and especially if you're doing it solo.
Once I arrive at Piazzala Roma I call Irene again and she told me to
catch the Vaporetto and exit on the Accademia Stop. She will meet me there and then take me to my apartment.
I get on the Vaporetto and exit at the Accademia stop. I wait for
about 10 minutes before Irene shows up. She seems very nice and walks me to my apartment. While making small talk,
I'm trying to remember the landmarks of our path so I know where my apartment is. On the way to the apartment Irene
points out certain things like the local markets and cafes for me to visit during my stay. We finally arrive at the
main door to my apartment building. It is a small alley very close to a canal. She opens the door and we climb
two flights up stairs. My apartment is on the 2nd floor. She opens the door and I notice that the apartment looks
exactly like the photos on the website.
Irene shows me around the apartment then takes down the information
from my passport. I have to sign an actual rental/lease contract. She shows me how everything works in the kitchen
and how the washing machine works. Then I thank her for taking care of me. I brought a gift for her and my contact
person at the agency and wrote a thank you card (with a tip-I'm not sure what the proper eitquette was for this service so
just gave what I felt their great service was worth to me). She was appreciative and so was I. She told me to feel
free to call her on her cell phone if I needed any help or assistance. I thanked her and then just like that she left.
And just like that, I'm now on my own. Irene did tell me that I could call her anytime if there was a problem or if
I needed hoep with anything. Thankfully, I had no problems and never needed to take her up on her offer.
But it was comforting to know that I could.
All in all, it really wasn't that complicated! Now for my review.
First of all, I really like the Agency, Views on Venice. They were very easy to work with and the people I dealt with
were responsive to all my e-mails. For the most part I was very satisfied with my choice of apartment, but it was located
on the third floor and could pose a problem for someone with walking difficulties. The best thing about the apartment
for me was the location. It was very convenient to the major Accademia Vaporetto stop and had a nice selection of nearby
local cafes, stores and a small market. I also really loved the queen size bed. It was so comfortable. It
had a really well supplied kitchen and a convenient washer (which I used several times).
What I didn't like: The apartment was advertised to have a second
(half) bathroom, but I have to say that I never used it and kept the door closed the whole entire two weeks because it had
this "unpleasant" odor." Not sure what was causing it and didn't want to find out. Secondly, the shower nozzle
tube kept falling everytime I took a shower. Lastly, the neighbors above me apparenlty liked wearing footwear
with heels and I could hear them walking around. I was rarely in the apartment and when I was it didn't really bother
me, but I can see how the noise would be annoying for others. Overall, I would conisder staying in this apartment again
just based upon it's location and because working with the agency (Views on Venice) was so easy to work with. I don't
know if I would highly recommend this apartment to someone else.
Apartment (Vacation Rental)
Living - I really Like it!
It took all but a full day to get used to staying in an apartment.
There are things that I miss about staying in a hotel such as having 24/7 concierge service and a daily supply of fresh
towels. There are, however, many things that I have grown to love about staying in an apartment. My
apartment was very spacious, it had a kitchen and a washing machine to do laundry. And the most important
thing was it was located in a non touristy neighborhood and provided me with the experience of living more like a local
rather than a visitor. I shopped for food and daily items at the local markets and shops in my neighborhood and actually
got to know some of them really well. I actually found it fun and adventurous going out to shop for things.
I liked the challenge of deciding what type of laundry soap to buy at the market when I ran out. Shopping
for laundry soap in Venice, Italy! I was definitely immersing like crazy on this trip and it was fun!
If the opportunity presented itself again, I would definitely stay in
an apartment rental over a hotel.
I pre-purchased at least 100 US Dollars into Euros at the airport as
an emergency (in case the ATM at the airport in Venice didn't work or something). It would be just enough to buy my
bus ticket from Marco Polo Airport to Piazzale Roma. Once I arrived at the Terminal in Venice I picked up my Venice
Blue Card and purchased my ATVO Aiport Blue Express Bus I asked directions to the nearest ATM. I was directed to the
far end of the Terminal (on the right as you exit the Baggage Claim and Customs just pass the restrooms.
I was able to successfully withdraw 200 Euros.
MY ITINERARY
- Two Weeks in Venice
- Apartment in the Dosoduro district
- Trips to the Islands of Burano & Torcello
- Day trips to Treviso, Ravenna (overnight) and Ferrara
- Dolomite Tour - Cortina
- Secret Itinerary Tour
- Take early morning & late evening walks in the small and quiet
calles.
- Explore the various churches and campos
- Take in the Peggy G. Museum
- Eat great food, drink fine wine and taste as many gelatos as I can
manage in two weeks.
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